From my first, barely read stack (on “1883”) to the one that took flight (on “A Complete Unknown”), I’ve loved writing about the intersections of Movies/TV, politics, and feminism. Here’s a selection.
Your work is truly fantastic--consistent, incisive, clever, insightful. So glad you started this Substack, and I know I'm not alone. And love this review.
Regarding Last Tango in Paris, it was recently on television. I taped it and started watching, for the first time since it came out. At that time, I also read Kael's review, and was excited about seeing the movie in a theater. But watching it then, I did not understand what all the excitement was about.
This time, I was so appalled by the scene when they first encounter each other in the empty apartment, that I could not watch the rest of it. I had seen Bertolucci's movie The Conformist a few years before, and was struck by it, notwithstanding the influence of THC. So Last Tango in Paris disappointed me then, and disgusted me, the little that I saw of it, this time around.
It is not unheard of for filmmakers to make trouble for their performers, but this really seems below and beyond.
Thanks for this! I've been a huge admirer of your writing since first reading "Unbearable Weight" in undergrad. Only discovered your substack recently and have been enjoying dipping into your catalogue here.
Your work is truly fantastic--consistent, incisive, clever, insightful. So glad you started this Substack, and I know I'm not alone. And love this review.
Regarding Last Tango in Paris, it was recently on television. I taped it and started watching, for the first time since it came out. At that time, I also read Kael's review, and was excited about seeing the movie in a theater. But watching it then, I did not understand what all the excitement was about.
This time, I was so appalled by the scene when they first encounter each other in the empty apartment, that I could not watch the rest of it. I had seen Bertolucci's movie The Conformist a few years before, and was struck by it, notwithstanding the influence of THC. So Last Tango in Paris disappointed me then, and disgusted me, the little that I saw of it, this time around.
It is not unheard of for filmmakers to make trouble for their performers, but this really seems below and beyond.
Thanks for this! I've been a huge admirer of your writing since first reading "Unbearable Weight" in undergrad. Only discovered your substack recently and have been enjoying dipping into your catalogue here.